The Luna Choosing Game by Jane Above Story

Chapter 0440

I sneaked out of the bathroom while Nicholas stayed to clean the lipstick off and adjust his clothes. As the leading man, he had to be certain that he looked perfect. I insisted. Someone would be sure to notice if even a hair of his was out of place, and then our relationship could

be threatened.

As I entered the room where most of the others waited, I looked around for Julian, but he

wasn’t waiting with the others. Perhaps he was watching the show?

I checked in with Elva. She was with Veronica now. Most of Veronica’s scenes were over so she could watch her during Susie and my remaining scenes. Knowing Elva was in good hands, I sneaked out of the sitting room to peak in on the play itself from the actual

backstage.

Admittedly, I cared more about finding and confronting Julian than I did about the actual play, but I ended up hitting two birds with one stone.

Julian was onstage, in a scene with Bridget, and they were arguing.

“You act like I’m the villain, but where is my restitution?” Julian demanded. “All these years, I’ve followed you. I’ve loved you. And now you are casting me off for someone you’ve

known for mere weeks?”

“Love is not a competition,” Bridget said, which I always thought was a strange line, given our current circumstance. The entire Luna selection process was a big competition. “I met him, and I loved him. The love between us had time, but never blossomed.”

“For you,” Julian spat. His acting was exceptionally good today. He was always a talented

actor, but the sheer amount of raw emotion in his voice made me shiver. He was even putting Bridget to shame. “I have loved you from the moment I saw you.”

“It’s not enough,” Bridget said. “I’m sorry.”

“You’ve never appreciated me. All I’ve done. All I’ve sacrificed –”

“You’ve sacrificed?!” Bridget’s voice rose now. “What of my sacrifices? I had turned my

heart off for so long! How can you not be happy that it’s now come back to life? If you truly loved me –“}

“I should be pleased you love another man?!” Julian’s voice rose to match.

“If you truly cared!”

1/4

#+15 BONUS

“You are delusional!”

Bridget

thoughts paused a moment. I didn’t remember some of those lines from the script. Did they decide to improvise? Was that what they were truly

they were

if they talked about this, which I honestly doubted, the fire and passion under their words seemed too real. It could have been that they were both just very good actors, which they

to the familiar words of the script. “You threaten terrible things. You were never in love with me. You’ve only

“You will regret those words

will never be your bride,” Bridget said

each other down.

curtains closed. The crowd erupted in applause.

off

way, so I tried to step into his path. “Julian

said and

“But I…”

hear me out. He just kept walking toward the sitting

others were.

the room. Julian smashed his shoulder into Nicholas’s as they

Nicholas called, but Julian didn’t turn. He continued to storm forward.

to me.

motioned toward the stage.

a solo scene next.

that,” Nicholas said. “He’s been off

2/4

+15 BONUS

him.”

said before I could verify the truth with Julian himself. So I couldn’t

side by side as the curtain opened for Bridget’s solo scene. In it, she lamented Julian’s terrible treatment of her. How he was so terrible for making him choose between the two of them, and then forcing her hand when she refused

not real. But for all the similarities between the play and their actual situation, it made

Nicholas said, side–eyeing me. “Julian confides in you more than he does anyone else. Except perhaps Brian, though I’m

in me about this,” I

Nicholas would have to go onstage to rescue her from the

so many questions for the three of them: Bridget, Nicholas, and Julian. Sometimes it seemed like Nicholas was the only one who would give me a straight